The Alsford Timber Training Academy

LONDON - Aug. 6, 2015 - PRLog -- July saw the launch of The Alsford Timber Training Academy. A specially tailored training course in association with BM TRADA, held at their new training academy building in Erith, Kent. Thirteen members of staff took part in the three day course that successfully achieved a 94% pass rate.

Until last year Alsford Timber purchased the majority of their Premier, Standard and Contract PAR and moulding ranges from a long term supply partner, who also offered an in-house training facility. However the business dynamic changed dramatically last year when, after a £1 million investment in new machinery, Alsford opted to manufacture all of their ranges on site at the new Production Mill in Erith.

This led them to investigate the impact of delivering their own training within the business. They decided to develop their own course in partnership with BM TRADA. The primary benefit of this was that Alsford were able to tailor the course with an emphasis on wood science and timber technical knowledge in areas that would not have been covered beforehand.

The course itself consisted of a full day’s introductory training followed by a short question paper to ensure participants were fully prepared for the main training course delivered over two full days a fortnight later. All candidates will either receive a Pass or Pass with Merit Certificate when this has been completed successfully and this requirement has now been included in all staff contracts of employment to ensure the Alsford strapline of being ‘The Timber Experts’ is maintained.

By developing a close working relationship with their training partners at BM TRADA, Alsford have been able to adapt the course and alter content to suit the business and this remains a work-in-progress and will continue to be updated to include new products and areas of future change.

The objective is to make sure that every member of staff from the Managing Director to Alsford’s valued apprentices, take part in the bespoke training course to ensure they can provide expert advice and product knowledge and to further underpin Alsford as The Timber Experts.

Head of TRADA Technology’s Structural Investigations Section, Philip O’Leary commented;

“Over the past 80 years, BM TRADA has built up an un-rivalled knowledge of timber and supports the industry through a range of timber training courses. We worked closely with Alsford Timber to develop a bespoke training programme for its employees, improving their knowledge and adding value to the overall business.”

Read more by clicking on the link: http://www.alsfordtimber.com/alsford-timber-academy

About Alsford Timber

Alsford Timber is the largest independent merchant in the South East, with 18 branches covering Kent, Surrey and Sussex.  Now in its 133^rd year, the business has remained steadfast to its core values.